How to Properly Trim a Hedge: All Our Tips
A well-trimmed, green hedge in your garden, perfectly aligned trees and shrubs, it's possible! Learn here a simple method to trim your hedge under the best conditions. Suitable period, equipment, fuel, and cutting techniques: you'll know everything.
Why Trim a Hedge ?
Pour préserver votre tranquillité et la santé de vos végétaux
Tailler une haie est une opération indispensable à plusieurs niveaux.
En premier lieu, une haie bien taillée permet de délimiter votre espace, vous protéger du vent, limiter le bruit et les regards indiscrets, et créer un décor harmonieux dans votre jardin.
Sur le plan horticole, tailler une haie est avant tout le moyen de limiter son développement, favoriser la densité du feuillage, supprimer les branches mortes ou malades, et stimuler la floraison.
Par obligation en cas de haie mitoyenne
Bien sûr, un autre élément entre en ligne de compte si votre haie est mitoyenne. Des règles s'appliquent. Selon la loi, chaque voisin doit ainsi tailler la haie de son côté.
Quant à la hauteur, pour éviter les querelles de voisinage, retenez une règle "2-2" : ne pas dépasser les 2 mètres de haut si la haie se trouve à moins de 2 mètres de la limite de votre terrain.
When and How to Trim a Hedge ?
The trimming period varies depending on the type of hedge you have: evergreen, flowering, fruit-bearing, etc.
However, it is generally recommended to trim a hedge twice a year: at the end of winter and a second time at the end of summer, after flowering. The important thing is to avoid trimming a hedge in winter when it freezes or in the middle of summer when it is too hot.
Note: Unlike farmers, the law does not prohibit individuals from trimming their hedge after March 15.
- Use the right tools: for small hedges, a shear is enough. For larger ones, however, opt for an electric or thermal hedge trimmer.
- Ensure your safety: wear gloves and protective glasses. For tall hedges, use a stable ladder.
- Guide your cut: to trim a straight hedge more easily and avoid a random result, stretch cords between stakes.
- Start with the top: if you wonder how to trim a too-tall hedge or how to trim a thuja hedge, know that the technique is the same: first trim the top of the hedge to establish the desired height. Then trim from top to bottom.
- Give a slightly trapezoidal shape: the base of the hedge should be a bit wider than the top to allow all parts to receive enough light.
What Equipment and Fuel to Choose for Trimming a Hedge ?
To trim a hedge, you have the choice between an electric, battery-powered, or gasoline hedge trimmer.
If you opt for a gasoline hedge trimmer, you must pay attention to the choice of fuel. It has a direct impact on the performance and lifespan of your equipment, as well as on the environment and your health. Classic fuels, like Unleaded 95, have a more attractive price than some professional products but can clog the engine of your hedge trimmer and reduce its efficiency.
To avoid these inconveniences, a solution exists: alkylate gasoline, as offered by ActiSTART, which is less harmful, less polluting, and more efficient at a reasonable price. Alkylate is a component of gasoline, obtained through a specific refining process that eliminates impurities and toxic substances.
Finally, remember that trimming your trees and shrubs should be done carefully to preserve their health and beauty. Whether you need to trim a too-wide laurel hedge or maintain a thuja hedge, each plant requires special attention.